ATLANTA, May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power has
announced plans to build a new 139 megawatt (MW) solar facility
adjacent to Robins Air Force Base (AFB) in Warner Robins, Georgia, just south of
Macon. The project was approved
Tuesday by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) and will be
the sixth large-scale solar project to be developed by Georgia
Power working with the United
States military and the Georgia PSC. The Warner Robins facility will be the largest
single solar project to date to be constructed by Georgia
Power.
The new solar facility will be located on approximately 870
acres of land reserved to prevent encroachment near the base, and
is expected to include more than 500,000 solar panels. As with the
company's other military projects, power from the facility will be
delivered to the state's electric grid at or below the company's
avoided cost, the amount projected it would cost the company to
generate comparable energy from other sources. The solar project at
Robins AFB is estimated to
represent a more than $200
million investment and will help to enable the base to meet
critical energy security and energy resiliency goals.
"Today's exciting announcement is the result of extensive
collaboration between Georgia Power, the Georgia PSC and the U.S.
Air Force, as well as the foresight of local leaders and our
neighbors in central Georgia,"
said Norrie McKenzie, Georgia
Power's vice president of Renewable Development. "At Robins Air
Force Base, and across the state, we have found that we share a
mission with our nation's military to secure local bases and
contribute to our country's energy independence, while also adding
cost-effective renewable generation as part of a diverse energy mix
to provide our customers with reliable, affordable energy."
Georgia Power expects to conduct planning, engineering and
design for the project, as well as a competitive bid process to
select a construction contractor, throughout 2017 and 2018.
Construction of the facility is expected to begin no earlier than
2018 and the project is expected to enter commercial operation
before the end of 2019.
Georgia Power currently owns and operates 120 MW of large-scale
solar facilities now online at Georgia military bases, including projects
with the U. S. Army at Fort
Benning, Fort Gordon and
Fort Stewart and with the
Department of the Navy at SUBASE Kings Bay. In addition, the
company is currently building a 31 MW solar facility at Marine
Corps Logistics Base Albany.
Through its various solar programs, the company is adding
millions of solar panels to Georgia's energy landscape while also ensuring
reliability for customers. With approval from the Georgia PSC
through the company's 2016 Integrated Resource Plan, Georgia Power
plans to add up to 1,600 MW of renewable energy through 2021,
fueling the state's momentum as one of the fastest growing solar
and renewable energy markets in the nation.
To learn more about Georgia Power solar programs, including
resources and services available for business and residential
customers, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Solar.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the
largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO),
America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer
Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's
promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four
of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean,
safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national
average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation
mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as
well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia
Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers
every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power
and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For
more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect
with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram
(Instagram.com/ga_power).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain information contained in
this release is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things,
statements concerning the timing of construction projects and
expected future renewable capacity. Georgia Power cautions that
there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking information that has been
provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this
forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future
performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other
factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power;
accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results
will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those
discussed in Georgia Power's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2016, and subsequent
securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially
from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking
information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns
during the development and construction of generating facilities,
to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of
permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational and environmental
performance standards, and the requirements of tax credits and
other incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern
Company system upon completion of construction; and potential
business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of
assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or
beneficial to Georgia Power. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any
obligation to update any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power